Sirius performance from winner of Galway feature

Owner-jockey David Dunsdon shines with last-to-first surprise.

Sirius was produced to perfection in recording a 50-1 surprise in the Connacht Hotel (Q.R.) Handicap, the feature contest on the opening day of the Galway Festival.

Ridden by her owner David Dunsdon, the five-year-old was having just her second start for Willie Mullins – who was also responsible for race favourite Lot Of Joy – having previously been with Nicolas Clement in France.

Stone last at halfway, Dunsdon fairly slalomed through the field from two and a half furlongs out – where Sionnach Eile sadly went wrong – and arrived at the furlong pole full of running to catch long-time leader Baltic Bird and go on to score by three and a half lengths.

An emotional Dunsdon said: “I’m so thankful to Willie and his team.

“I didn’t ride for four years. I had a family, came out of retirement and this was the dream. I hadn’t had a winner in five years, so for your comeback winner to be this race… this is the race you dream of.

“This is bigger than the Amateur Derby at Epsom, this is like winning at the Cheltenham Festival. I’m still a bit in shock!”

When asked if he was surprised Mullins said: “To say the least!

“David asked me to look out for a horse for him to ride in this race, to try to win it, and that was two years ago.

David Dunsdon gets a big hug from trainer Willie Mullins
David Dunsdon gets a big hug from trainer Willie Mullins (Niall Carson/PA)

“I thought David had retired in the meantime, but obviously he had come back and ridden a few. He rides out with Gary Moore to stay fit.

“He actually never sat on her before, he was supposed to come over and ride her out and never did. It’s tremendous.

“David was champion Fegentri rider, which is European champion amateur rider, a few years back.

“He’s a fitness fanatic and keeps himself very fit. He bought a horse and put it in with Gary Moore, he’s had a few rides this year. Race-riding would get you race fit.

“I thought it was an extraordinary achievement. I’m delighted for him.

“The start didn’t go well for him, he wanted to be in the first four. He didn’t panic and sat where he was. He had the nerve to sit there and see what happened.

“She won easy. She had some nice form in France, she had been off the track with injury.

“It was disappointing that she got injured last year when we were trying to get her ready for this race.

“She’ll probably run again here on Friday night. She handles that hill alright.”

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